Obituary of Shauntese T. Gedeon

On Friday, January 29, 2021, Shauntese Tiera Gedeon passed away in Riverdale, Maryland. On that date, the world lost a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, goddaughter, and friend. 

Shauntese was born on July 27, 1988, in Washington, DC, the eldest child born to Loyedi Gedeon and Darnell Hawkins, and the first grandchild for her maternal grandmother and paternal grandparents. She was the shining light and star to the entire family and held a very special place in the heart of her grandparents, especially her maternal grandfather, the late Edner Gedeon, and her paternal grandmother the late Dorothy Hawkins Gray. She had a special name for her grandfather. She could not quite pronounce his first name correctly, so she affectionately called him “Neh-Neh” instead of grandpa.

Yes, Shauntese was loved by many, but her heart-centered on her love for her children, Nikayla and Saint. She loved taking them to various outings throughout the town, especially Chuck E.Cheese and Six Flags. She would take trips to the beach and loved cooking out with the kids. She was delighted to be blessed with a daughter and son and had many dreams for her and her children.

Shauntese had a magnetic personality and a big smile that lit up the room. As a child, she was full of energy and loved to laugh, play and run around. She especially enjoyed the outdoors. She would stand by the front door and beg to go outside. It was hard saying no to her big gorgeous brown eyes. If allowed, Shauntese would stay outside in the blazing sun or freezing-cold for hours playing and stomping around the playground or front yard. She also loved the swimming pool. She was a natural-born swimmer and before any formal lessons, she had mastered the art of learning to swim. She was also quite fearless; courageously game to try any new adventure. On her first ski trip, she skipped the beginner slopes and went straight to the extremely challenging Black Diamond slopes; usually reserved for the most experienced skiers. Of course, this startled and alarmed her mother, Loyedi Gedeon, but with no experience, Shauntese skied down the slopes as if she had been skiing for years.

Just like her mother, Shauntese had a love of food (especially Haitian food) and was an excellent cook. She was a pro at grilling. She also inherited a love of shopping; and with her generous nature, she would shop not only for herself but buy many gifts for her family. Shauntese was an imaginative and comedic storyteller even as a child. As the eldest sibling, she would often surrender the top bunk bed to her little sister, Kia. It was during these nights of “bunk bed bonding” that Shauntese displayed her creative storytelling skills. Using shadow puppetry, Shauntese would dim the lights and use her fingers as puppet imagery to tell Kia a bedtime story on the ceiling. It worked like a charm every time with Kia eventually falling asleep.

Throughout her life, Shauntese was very outgoing, finding it easy to meet and talk to people of all ages. Growing up she made friends easily, and once someone met her, they never forgot her. Shauntese was a free spirit, which left a lasting impact on those closest to her. But no matter where life took her, she loved spending time with those cherished, her family and friends. Shauntese attended schools in Prince George’s County and continued to call the county home as an adult. She worked in multiple industries throughout the DC metropolitan area before embarking on a career in the healthcare industry, which she enjoyed. 

Shauntese leaves to cherish her memory, two beautiful children; her daughter Nikayla Star Gedeon (12) and son Saint Ricardo Gedeon (3); her mother Loyedi Gedeon; her father Darnell Hawkins; her maternal sister Kia J’Nai Gedeon; her grandmother Marie Jose Gedeon; her maternal aunts; Donna Gedeon, Berlyne Gedeon, and Sagine Beaubrun, cousins; Sausha Hall, Tatianna Jean Baptiste, Mike Joly, and Marlyne Joly. On her paternal side, her siblings; Elijah, Mikayla, Joshua, Amirah, Luhnden, Khenedie, Iyauna, Razzell, and Darnell Jr; her paternal aunt; Cynthia Edwards, and a host of great-aunts, cousins and countless dear friends.

Shauntese was predeceased by her cherished grandfather, Edner Gedeon, her devoted great-grandmother, Viergela Baptiste, and beloved grandmother Dorothy Hawkins Gray, and late uncle David Hawkins.

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